Page 33 of Preacher

“I’ll spread the word.”

I nodded, then he and Seven left my office.

The days that followed were all business. There was no time to sit around or to dwell on the unknown. I called the boys in and laid everything out, explaining my expectations for the Volkov partnership. I told them exactly what was on the table and what wasn’t.

There was no room for mistakes with this deal.

If this partnership was going to work, we had to handle it right.

Some of the guys had their concerns about the deal, but they knew me well enough to know I wouldn’t stand for any bullshit. Sergei and his brothers either toed the line or we’d walk. I let them know this wasn’t just about making money. This was about securing our future and evolving with the times.

And times were changing.

Faster than I cared to admit.

For years, we’d made the bulk of our money at the Vault and by moving product under the table. But with the way things were looking, it wouldn’t be long before marijuana was fully legal, and when that happened, we would be left empty-handed.

If we wanted to stay ahead, we had to move with the tide, not against it.

That’s where the Volkovs came in. They had the kind of setup that could secure our future. I wasn’t naive enough to think we’d ever be clean, not fully, but if we played this right, we could secure a foothold in something with real longevity.

After our meet, I kept myself busy in the office. It was the easiest way to keep my head clear. But, even with everything going on,she was still lingering in the back of my mind. I told myself it wouldn’t last. That it was just something new and unexpected, and once I got to know her, the newness would wear off.

By the time Saturday rolled around, I was more than ready for a break. Not just from business but from the weight of it all. With everything that had been going on, I couldn’t think straight, and there was no better way to clear my head than a ride on my bike with the woman who’d been haunting my thoughts all damn week.

I pulled up into the drive and was about to head up to the gate when Tabitha stepped out of the barn. The sight of her nearly took my breath. Her dark hair was down with loose waves cascading around her shoulders. She had on a pair of distressed black jeans with a white top that hugged her curves and a pair of cowboy boots. “Hey.”

"Hey, yourself.” She stepped through the gate and made her way over to me. “So, where are we headed?”

“That’s up to you.” I waited until she made it over to me before handing her my spare helmet. “If I remember your terms of our negotiation, I believe we have about four hours for our ride, so that should…”

“No,” she interrupted. “After all you did, we can do whatever you want for as long as you want.”

“Is that right?”

I gave her a smirk, and she immediately started back peddling. “Um, wait. That didn’t come out right.”

“Oh, I don’t know. It sounded pretty good to me.”

“Preacher,”she scolded.

For reasons I couldn’t explain, I wanted to hear my true name roll across her full lips, so I told her, “When it’s just us, you can call me Hudson.”

“Okay, Hudson.” She smiled. “You ready to go?”

“Ready when you are.” I felt a sense of satisfaction knowing I had her all to myself for the day. I was getting into dangerous territory, but I couldn’t help but wonder if she was beginning to feel the same. “You look incredible.”

“You don’t look too shabby yourself.” She motioned her head at my Harley. “You’re gonna have to take it easy on me. I’ve never ridden one of those things before.”

“You’ll do fine. Not much different than a horse.”

“Hmm. We’ll see about that.”

Once she’d put on her helmet, I offered her my hand and helped her onto the back. “Hold on tight.”

She nodded, then positioned her hands at my waist. Her grip tightened as I eased out of the drive, and it tightened even more as we started down the main road. After a few miles, she started to relax and eased back, signaling that she was starting to enjoy the ride—which made me enjoy it even more.

I liked having her on my bike. It had been a long time since I’d ridden with someone, mainly because chicks always tried to read something into it, especially when you’re the president. Usually, it was just a damn ride. Nothing more.

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